I n c a r n a d i n E T e a r S

Omigawd. An update. Woo. Yeah. Caelus is finally inspired to write another grammatically incorrect, terror filled chapter. BRING. IT. ON.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and co. Simply because I do not have the genius skillz to come up with them.

-

The distant sound of drums thrummed rhythmically in his ears and the scent of sweets and snacks was so heavy he could taste it. Naruto moved his way through the crowd in a yukata once again but a different one this time, thought as much as he felt like he blended in with the other people who attended the festival, he, in fact, stood out like a sore thumb. It wasn't because of the colour of his hair and eyes, it was because he looked so perfectly stunning that it looked like he didn't belong.

The humidity and heat of being around so many people made him sweat slightly, his hair clinging perfectly to his face as a result. His cerulean eyes were captivating and his toned skin showed nicely from the clothes he wore that day. Many people stared at him as he passed by and girls giggled like the freaky little fan girls they were. Though, he pretended not to notice it all and he continued to walk about. If he were his old self, he would have been grinning and gloating about but not this Naruto. No. he kept calm and silent as ever. It was almost like looking at Sasuke when he was younger, only a bit more… on the loner side of life.

This didn't go unnoticed either. His many friends… or ex-friends who were scattered about had seen him. Their Naruto, changed, expressionless and unfeeling, it was almost like the apocalypse had come. They already missed him before and now he had returned but… it felt like he hadn't come back at all. He was so very close to them and yet how distant he had become.

Naruto was a different person. He was no longer Naruto Uzumaki but someone entirely different.

--

A woman strode proudly down the street, her assistant by her side in traditional attire, while she remained in her usual casual clothing. He green coat trailed behind her like the people bowing in her wake. Her long blonde hair was tied in the same fashion as it had always been and she looked the same as ever, never changing. She was the Hokage of Konohagakure village as she had been for the past several years and as she had the highest standing position in the area, there was no news that didn't reach her ea and one piece of news had peaked her interest.

Tsunade's eyes scanned about, looking for a particular head of hair, more over a particular face. Her assistant, Shizune, seemed quite excited as well. Eventually, they found their person.

'Uzumaki Naruto has returned.' That was what she heard. How much she missed that kid. The young boy she knew that reminded her so much of her brother, it would be wonderful to see him once more. She wondered vaguely of how much he had grown in body, mind and skills. It made her strangely giddy but she managed to maintain her composure.

Her eyes had scanned the crowd and narrowed in on her target. There stood a young boy with a familiar face. The Hokage made her way through the crowd. She reached out her hand and it made contact with the one she wanted. She smiled as did Shizune "Welcome back, Naruto." She had said, her voice pleasant and half expectant for the usual name-calling of 'obaa-chan'.

The young man had turned around and it was indeed naruto in all his glory. He had become quite tall and very handsome. Tsunade almost gaped, but she knew how to maintain her cool but Shizune produced quite the flush. It was quite a surprise to see him in such a way. He had grown quite a bit.

The next part came as a surprise as well. "Ah. Greetings, Hokage-sama." Was the reply and Naruto bowed down respectively. She gaped.

Naruto Uzumaki just treated her politely and with respect. THE Naruto.

What the hell happened?

--

Naruto gave a low bow to his so-called 'superior'. It would have seemed that his old self knew the Hokage of the village he were to destroy. How shockingly convenient.

He stood up and looked up at the woman who had now donned an expression of utter shock. Puzzled, he gave back a look of confusion "Is something wrong Tsunade-sama?" He asked, curious as to why she looked at him in such a way. She couldn't have figured out what he was doing, that was for sure. So then why…?

Then she laughed. A nervous laugh but a laugh nonetheless. "My my Naruto, you really have grown. You always used to call me 'Tsunade-obaa-chan' before but now… now look at you. Treating me with good and proper respect. You… you've certainly grown."

The woman at her side simply smiled, a slightly more pleasant one than the Hokage had. Naruto raised n eyebrow at the older woman's comment. "That is certainly strange of me to say such a disrespectful thing. I assure you, it won't happen again." He smiled slightly, the hollowest smile Tsunade had ever seen hat had come from the boy "Well, I don't wish to disturb you any further, Tsunade-sama. I will take my leave now." He gave yet another bow and turned to walk off; leaving two very shocked and confused women who had felt like they had just lost something dear to them.

--

Sasuke was only a bit too lost within his thoughts. He felt horrible. He put Naruto through so much. Too much. Now he knew exactly how the blond had felt when he had left to go to Orochimaru. It felt like he was chasing after him and feeling like it was useless but kept going anyways. His heart hurt unbearably. Perhaps because Naruto was his best friend or perhaps it was something else. It felt like someone was crushing his heart. He wanted to cry.

Cry? No. That was very un-Uchiha like. The young man rose up and let out a heavy sigh before setting out to look for the blond and it was safe to say that proved not to be a difficult task. A head of blonde hair stood out amongst the rest and almost all eyes seemed to be on him. His breath quickened as did his pace and he approached the boy. His hand reached out and grasped tightly onto the toned arm, causing the other to turn around. Cerulean met obsidian.

Sasuke would have thought Naruto had become incapable of producing any emotions of surprise but the shock had been clear on the smaller boy's face. The blue eyes had widened with surprise for a split second but returned to their normal dead state. That was enough to give the Uchiha hope that he could get his friend back. For now, he just had to take things slowly.

"Leaving without saying a word, did you really think I'd let you go with just that, dobe?" The raven-haired boy had said, his eyes narrowing.

Naruto frowned "Why do you care?"

Sasuke's heart throbbed at the question. 'Huh? That's weird.' He thought to himself before replying to the question "Why shouldn't I? Friends look out for each other."

The blond tried to jerk away but he kept a firm grip on his arm. He wasn't going to let him go. Naruto looked back at Sasuke, ready to snap at him but stopped instantly as he met his gaze. A look of pain.

The Uchiha looked like he was going to cry.

--

Naruto's heart missed a beat once he looked back at the taller boy. Then there was a sting of pain. He clutched the cloth where his heart was. Why did his heart hurt so? For some reason, he couldn't bear the sight of the Uchiha. That look on his face…. He looked like he was going to break. Why? Why did he want to reach out and comfort him? This was wrong. He wasn't supposed to have emotion. So then…. What was this?

"Don't leave…"

What?

"Stay by me…. I don't want to lose you too."

Why?

"Naruto… please."

Stop. Stop it.

"I beg you. Please. Remember. Everything."

No. No. Stop it.

"I need you. We need you."

Stop… please. Stop… making…

Naruto ripped his arm free of Sasuke's hold. His eyes brimming with tears. The raven-haired boy bore a look of confusion. The blond gasped for air, his breath heavy and quick. The next thing he knew, he was tearing through the streets of Konoha towards the forest. He wanted to leave. He wanted to get away. What was this feeling?

The blonde's pace slowed and he stopped at the edge over-looking the city. He screamed. Screamed until he couldn't scream anymore. Screamed until he collapsed. Drowning. Drowning in his tears.

He hadn't cried in so long.